Restaurant 2017

[Bozza]

Yep - think that's a fair review. I'm hoping it'll be better next time I go.

We're off to Ceremony tonight. I mention it because it bills itself as "Ceremony is a new restaurant and bar in NW5 serving modern British dishes that happen to be vegetarian.", which I thought may be of interest to you.

There's little point providing a link to the website, because the above sentence is all that is there (tres hipster), other than a link to the booking pages; but Coren raves over it, and The Nudge (https://thenudge.com/london-restaurants/ceremony/) likes it too. We'll see. No meat or fish?

Edit: some photos on their instagram account... https://www.instagram.com/ceremonyrestaurant/

There was nothing wrong with Giggling Squid, and certainly did a job of soaking the booze up. I'm not sure quite what I expected different to what we got.

Ceremony looks good - I shall look forward to hearing about it.

 

[Machiavelli]

I’ve just booked Polpo in Brighton. Anyone been?

Yup. It's a upper-middle market chain, and pretty solid without being overwhelming. Decent enough wine list, with sensible focus around the £30 mark. I haven't been for c18 months though. When I have been, it's usually been in a large group, and the 'Venetian tapas' works pretty well for a large group, and the service has been good.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

(Cocktail Shack - 9/10 - lovely spot and nice vibe for drinks)

Tremendous cocktail bar that - my favourite in Brighton. The Set is fabulous next to it too... it really is a perfect combination!

 

[Normski1989]

Went to the new burger place on Church Road, Hove the other day. It's called 7Bone and it was bloody lovely, just a tad expensive.

Decided to go for two 3oz sliders instead of a 6oz burger, with a large portion of chilli cheese fries and a coke (it was lunch time and I had to go back to work). Ended up costing £15, but it would've been a few quid cheaper if I just went a single 6oz burger.

Prince Charles is Over-rated burger; beef burger, bacon, cheese, pickles and their secret recipe 'dirty spread'. I ask for it medium rare and it was cooked perfectly.
Dreadlock Rasta burger; Fried buttermilk chicken, lettuce and hot sauce. The coating was very light and crispy.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and left feeling very full. I've eaten at Trolls, Iceburger, Burger Bros, Smashburger and GBK before. Although 7Bone don't have the same variety in toppings as the others, it was a better quality burger in my opinion.

I will definitely be returning.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Pizzas are excellent.........

Pizzas are a complete waste of money in any establishment in my opinion, bought for pence, and sold for mega bucks. An absolutely huge profit margin.

 

[dazzer6666]

Pizzas are a complete waste of monet in any establishment in my opinion, bought for pence, and sold for mega bucks. An absolutely huge profit margin.

Well I like them, and I like socialising with people, so combining the two things works for me. Quality varies too - for a chain restaurant Zizzi are particularly good.

Re margins, same could be said of very many restaurant meals. I'd rather just enjoy the occasion than worry about whether the restaurant is making a few more quid a result of my choice.

 

[BensGrandad]

going to Casa Brasil in The Marina in a couple of weeks any thoughts or views,

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Yup. It's a upper-middle market chain, and pretty solid without being overwhelming. Decent enough wine list, with sensible focus around the £30 mark. I haven't been for c18 months though. When I have been, it's usually been in a large group, and the 'Venetian tapas' works pretty well for a large group, and the service has been good.

Good to know. I recently took a few food tips from a Guardian article, contributed to by the Polpo founder, which inspired me. Thanks.

 

[Bozza]

Tremendous cocktail bar that - my favourite in Brighton. The Set is fabulous next to it too... it really is a perfect combination!

Yeah, we love The Set too. We weren't sure what we'd fancied food wise, so we'd not booked anything.

The Set restaurant was full, although we did contemplate the cafe at the front before before deciding to go for a wander instead.

 

[Withdean Chappy]

Something of a surprise really, but your right, very few, if any, of the main Italian chain restaurants have steak on their menu, Zizzi, Ask, Strada, Prezzo et al. I would ahve thought that steak in it's various forms, would have sold quite well.

I really enjoy italian food [not pasta or pizza] however they let themselves down by generally only stocking Italian wine which on the whole does not rate against ,French,Australian,New Zealand and Chile

 

[BensGrandad]

I really enjoy italian food [not pasta or pizza] however they let themselves down by generally only stocking Italian wine which on the whole does not rate against ,French,Australian,New Zealand and Chile

My favourite wine is Italian but it is expensive Vino Noble Di Multipucianno but must emphasis not the D'Abruzzo Multipucianno which IMHO is gash cheap and nasty.

 

[dazzer6666]

Went to the new burger place on Church Road, Hove the other day. It's called 7Bone and it was bloody lovely, just a tad expensive.

Decided to go for two 3oz sliders instead of a 6oz burger, with a large portion of chilli cheese fries and a coke (it was lunch time and I had to go back to work). Ended up costing £15, but it would've been a few quid cheaper if I just went a single 6oz burger.

Prince Charles is Over-rated burger; beef burger, bacon, cheese, pickles and their secret recipe 'dirty spread'. I ask for it medium rare and it was cooked perfectly.
Dreadlock Rasta burger; Fried buttermilk chicken, lettuce and hot sauce. The coating was very light and crispy.

Thoroughly enjoyed it and left feeling very full. I've eaten at Trolls, Iceburger, Burger Bros, Smashburger and GBK before. Although 7Bone don't have the same variety in toppings as the others, it was a better quality burger in my opinion.

I will definitely be returning.

Went to the one in Eastbourne on Saturday. Lovely relaxed atmosphere and service. Burger (can’t remember what it was called, but had blue cheese and bacon on it) was exceptionally good. Chilli cheese fries for me too, also very good but portion was too big (despite this being a post-marathon meal for me). Wife and son had similar meals, plus drinks and we had a side of ‘onion straws’ which were slightly spicy and very crispy. Good range of beers by the bottle/can. Total bill was about £45. Definitely going back.

 

[Machiavelli]

I've got a big family occasion coming up, probably a party of about ten. We're looking for a pub that serves really good quality food, somewhere in between Brighton and the M25 to the north.
I gather The Jolly Sportsman in East Chiltington is rated, as is The Griffin in Fletching. That's the kind of venue I'm looking at, but I haven't been to either for a long, tong time.
Any recommendations?

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I've got a big family occasion coming up, probably a party of about ten. We're looking for a pub that serves really good quality food, somewhere in between Brighton and the M25 to the north.
I gather The Jolly Sportsman in East Chiltington is rated, as is The Griffin in Fletching. That's the kind of venue I'm looking at, but I haven't been to either for a long, tong time.
Any recommendations?

GInger Fox near Albourne is very good. Part of the Gingerman group.

 

[Normski1989]

Just looking at that picture makes me want to go back.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I really enjoy italian food [not pasta or pizza] however they let themselves down by generally only stocking Italian wine which on the whole does not rate against ,French,Australian,New Zealand and Chile

You may be right on the wine front, but on the other hand one of my favourite wines in Barolo, expensive yes, but wonderful for a special occasion.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

GInger Fox near Albourne is very good. Part of the Gingerman group.

It is indeed. As is the Crabtree at Lower Beeding, mentioned earlier in this thread. Have a look at their website.

 

[Beach Hut]

Slate - Shoreham

New kid on the block, been open around 3 odd weeks and for those who know the area was previously The Millan Tandoori.

Starters of Prawn tempura and Scallops and mains of pork and lamb.

Very high quality cooking and excellent presentation neither of the 4 meals disappointed at all. Pork cooked just right with excellent jus, Mrs did think the Lamb shank was rather on the large side.

6/10 as follows:

£11 added to the bill, we did not have deserts and this right royally does annoy me so no tip after removed from bill and oh I made a mistake, sorry excuse (that is why I always check the bill) and tables are really too close together they need to remove a couple. The other issue is a pub less area so as long as you just eat fine but if requiring a few pre-meal bevies we are talking a taxi.

First visit and early doors so will definitely re-visit as other good dishes on the menu need sampling.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I have to sadly report to [MENTION=409]Herr Tubthumper[/MENTION] that the La Tour in Birmingham is no longer owned by Marco P-W and is now part of the Clayton Hotel chain. Stayed there on Monday night and the rooms are the same (that is, very nice indeed) but some changes to report on the food that I don't like. The quirky British school dinners style dinner menu has gone, replaced by a grill serving burgers, ribs, fish and chips, steak and a couple of specials. I had one of these - a beef short rib with horseradish mash - which was absolutely superb, but still, the disappearing of their excellent whitebait or Brown Windsor starters is to be mourned. Similarly the changes have been rung at breakfast. In come baked beans, out go two types of sausage and bacon (you now get pork sausage and back bacon or nothing) and the black pudding, while there, isn't crisp on the outside any more. It's enough to make a man cry into his coffee.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I have to sadly report to [MENTION=409]Herr Tubthumper[/MENTION] that the La Tour in Birmingham is no longer owned by Marco P-W and is now part of the Clayton Hotel chain. Stayed there on Monday night and the rooms are the same (that is, very nice indeed) but some changes to report on the food that I don't like. The quirky British school dinners style dinner menu has gone, replaced by a grill serving burgers, ribs, fish and chips, steak and a couple of specials. I had one of these - a beef short rib with horseradish mash - which was absolutely superb, but still, the disappearing of their excellent whitebait or Brown Windsor starters is to be mourned. Similarly the changes have been rung at breakfast. In come baked beans, out go two types of sausage and bacon (you now get pork sausage and back bacon or nothing) and the black pudding, while there, isn't crisp on the outside any more. It's enough to make a man cry into his coffee.

Oh dear. This place was sold to me on the sausage, bacon and black pudding. RIP. As an aside, I had a lovely breakfast in Bristol last weekend. What made it special is it had this tomato salsa thing on the side in place of grilled toms or if you’re unlucky those ghastly plum tomatoes. Salsa was little more than smashed and reduced tomatoes but worked well. And Bristol is a great place for beers.